Nintendo will hire from within for post-Paine era

David Yarnton confirmed this week that his overseeing of Nintendo’s UK marketing will be short-term.

Current marketing director Dawn Paine leaves Nintendo after ten years to join Universal Pictures later this month, with Yarnton taking an overseeing role until an appointment is made. But he told MCV that a successor will ultimately be hired from within the organisation.

“We’re sorry to see Dawn go, but we wish her well. It is also an opportunity for the team and for me to get closer to the marketing department, give them more support and direction whilst steering the ship going forward,” he said.

“There is a fantastic, experienced team in place, so the hire will most likely come from within.”

Senior marketing and comms managers Rob Lowe, James Honeywell and Jo Bartlett will report directly to Yarnton in the meantime.

Yarnton, Paine, Lowe and Honeywell were the core of a team that launched record-breaking platforms such as the Wii, DS and 3DS – plus a succession of hit titles such as Wii Fit, Brain Training and Mario Kart.

Paine’s current role is marketing director and assistant general manager. Her last day will be February 24th. She starts at Universal as VP of marketing on March 5th.

MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by NewBay Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets.